Health News

Postpartum Depression Risk May Rise for New Moms in Big Cities

Postpartum Depression Risk May Rise for New Moms in Big Cities

08/06/13

TUESDAY, Aug. 6 (HealthDay News) -- New mothers who live in
large cities are more likely to suffer postpartum depression than
those in other areas, a new study finds.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 6,400 women living in
different parts of Canada and found that 7.5 percent of them said
they had experienced postpartum depression, in the study published
Aug. 6 in the
CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Women in large cities (500,00 or more people) had the greatest
risk at 10 percent, compared with 7 percent for those in semi-rural
areas (less than 30,000 people), 6 percent for those in rural areas
(less than 1,000 people) and 5 percent for those in semi-urban
areas (30,000 to 499,000 people), according to a journal news
release.

"The risk factors for postpartum depression [including history of depression, social support and immigration status] that were unequally distributed across geographic regions accounted for most of the variance in the rates of postpartum depression," wrote Dr. Simone Vigod, a psychiatrist at Women's College Hospital and scientist at Women's College Research Institute, in Toronto, and colleagues.

"Supports and services targeted toward increasing connections for isolated women in large urban centers may need to be increased in Canada," they concluded. "Considering the substantial negative effect of postpartum depression, such interventions could have broad-reaching social and public health impact."

Although the study found higher risk for postpartum depression
among women living in cities, it did not establish a
cause-and-effect relationship.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.